Visiting Kennedy Space Center

After watching the 50th Anniversary Coverage of Man Walking on the Moon, we decided it was high time for us to visit the Kennedy Space Center (KSC).  It's just about a 3-1/2 hr easy drive across the state - so we hopped in our car and went!

Inn at Cocoa Beach - very nice!

Plume of smoke of rocket to space station

The Inn at Cocoa Beach was great.  We arrived in time for free wine & cheese.  As we talked to Canadians from Montreal, we discovered that a resupply rocket to the Space Station had been rescheduled.  It was due to launch at 6:01 p.m.

We walked a short distance to the beautiful beach and waited patiently.  Exactly to the minute, we heard a rumble and saw the rocket lift off with its plume of fire underneath.  We watched it disappear into the beautiful blue sky and all that was left was a beautiful plume of smoke.  About a half hour later, when the booster came back down, we heard a tremendous sonic boom that shook us and the surroundings.  Wow!  That was exciting!

We went for a swim in the gorgeous Atlantic - waves were gentle and water was warm.  Next morning, we hopped into the car for an early admission to KSC.  We spent the whole day there and thoroughly enjoyed every minute.  It has been completely revamped since I visited there about 45 years ago!  Of course, what was I thinking?  

Richard touring

Launch Pad

We agreed we loved seeing the launch pads and talking to all the international visitors (we met people from Toulouse, France; Germany; and Canada).  We like the Saturn 5 exhibit, the talk with the astronaut, the simulation of going up in space (very cool), the Space Station exhibit, the 3D IMAX, and more.  That evening we had one of the best seafood dinners we've had in a long time at Florida Seafood Grill.  

Outside close-up

Next day was time to depart.  We took a chance and went for a ride out to Satellite Beach, retirement home of John & Opal Forsythe.   I worked with John for many years at the University of Texas at Galveston in our cephalopod lab.  Luckily (or by fate?), there he was building a kitchen onto the church he founded where he is now pastor - Calvary Christian Church Surfside.  We had a great visit!  Time to travel on home full of good memories...

Joanne poses with moon memories

Capsule - pretty small for the astronauts!

Independence Day 2019

We had a wonderful 4th of July Celebration with our boating club, the PGIslanders at Laishley Marina.  There was food galore and I even made an American pie!  We had patriotic music and a great video of famous Americans.  Check out pictures below!

Me with my homemade American Pie!

Nancy mixes her salad

Oh Happen Men!

Sue takes a call

Marie and Lorri

Marilyn with friend, Terry

Close up of Joanne's American Pie

Peg's American Cake!

Goodbye Indigo Star, one great boat!

Three years ago we purchased a beautiful trawler and named her Indigo Star.  After many years sailing we decided to try power boating, slow version (top speed cruising was ~9.5 knots). We had a great time on her.  Highlights were:

Enjoying pizza with Mary & Bill and John & Marilyn in Stuart

• Our cruise across Lake Okeechobee to Stuart, where we met friends, Marilyn & John on m/v Blue Goose, Mary & Bill on s/v Impulse, and Jackie & Bob on s/v Sabrena.  On this trip we visited 13 different yacht clubs in the Florida Council thus earning us a 2017 Founder's Award presented to us at the Moorings Yacht Club in Vero Beach.  

• Our cruise north with the PGIslanders, especially last fall when we visited Tampa Yacht Club and Ebor City, FL.  An added bonus was catching up with my old boss, Roger, who was at a scientific meeting in St. Pete.
• Participation in the Isles Yacht Club Blessing of the Fleet and at Christmas time, the Lighting of the Fleet.
• Leading a cruise to Useppa Island and making pancakes on her
• On Richard's Birthday, last New Year's Eve, being the Host Boat and welcoming the PGIslander's as we counted down Punta Gorda Midnite New Year's Eve and had a great Breakfast Buffet on New Year's Day.

Bleu Kitty loved being on the boat!  He is a great boat cat!

We decided to sell our boat because maintenance for Richard was becoming more difficult and the cost of insurance, fuel and ownership was cutting into our retirement income.  Plus, we decided we want to travel a bit more on Viking and land tours.

Three months ago, we listed the trawler on BoatTrader.com and quickly we had interest.  On Monday, July 8, we closed on a deal with the new owners, Jeff & Debbie of the Savannah, GA area.  We wish them fun, safe times on Indigo Star and hope they will enjoy her as much as we have.

Blessing of the Fleet October 2018 - note Texas Flag!

What's next boating wise?  

We don't know.  We are taking a break from boat ownership for a while, and then, maybe we will look for a smaller boat.  It's hard not to be on the water!